A win/win/win alternative to the blanket primary should be given
serious attention and that is eliminating the primary completely. When
coupled with an instant run-off general election, the voters, the
candidates and the parties would all win. The campaign season would be
shortened (beginning after summer vacations),everyone's election costs
would be reduced and an election which historically draws a minority of
eligible voters but frequently carries new taxing propositions to be
imposed upon the majority would be eliminated.

The two major parties would have one new cost, that of selecting their
own nominees,-- a cost minor parties have had all along. But why should
the public (including minor parties) foot the bill for the GOP and
Democrats to select their nominees?

The instant run-off general election would use a ballot on which voters
could indicate their first, second and third choice for each office.
Votes from the candidate with the lowest vote total would be
transferred to those voters next choices. ÝThe transfer process would
continue until a candidate won the majority of votes. Besides the
obvious advantages of holding two elections in one and producing a
winner supported by a majority, third-party candidates could no longer
be accused of spoiling the election of the party it draws support
from. In most cases, one of the major parties would end up with
their vote but voters would have been allowed to indicate support for
their preferred candidate without wasting that vote. We would have a
more modern election system, less-third party bashing and greater voter
participation in the ultimate result. Win, Win, Win.